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11) Headlining and Sub-Headlining Effective Content Pieces

SoulfullyAButterfly January 31st, 2021

Article titles (headlines), as well as subheadlines, are one of the first things a reader reads.

In this discussion, we will understand effective strategies to write headline titles as well as subheadlines to these titles.

Some general tips include:

  • Avoid long article titles: try to fit the title within 62 characters or limit it to 5-7 words.

  • Consider using “What”, “Why”, “How”, or “When” as these are catchy and add to curiosity.

  • Use Numbers - numbers ensure the availability of organized information, and are generally liked: using Odd Numbers in the title has helped in terms of SEO. Remember to write the number itself (5 instead of five).

  • To add specificity, consider using “the” before the number.

  • Provide an answer to why people should click and read your content: words like “tips”, “strategies”, “facts”, “reasons” all help provide a rationale.

  • Include the word “Guide” where applicable.

  • Consider using emotional adjectives that describe the topic. For example, “essential”, “free” etc.

  • Consider outlining Negative aspects - spin this to meet mental health content goals. For example, The 5 Essential Things You Did Not Know About Depression.

  • Use common words to ensure people understand and grasp the topic while finding the title simple

  • Consider using a “Things I Wish I Had Known” approach to content if applicable.

How to test your headline as being unique:

Copy and paste your headline with quotation marks into the Google search bar. (e.g. “The 5 Essential Things You Did Not Know About Depression”) - if the results come back as “no results found”, your headline is unique!

Helpful Resource: Useful Title Capitalization Tool

Note: The bottom line to success in terms of marketing and content is to ensure that your content body reflects the great headline/title. It might be worth considering to write final titles after the content body.

Subheadlines: Effective subheadlines summarize the content body while also linking it to the title.

Activity

Using the knowledge attained through this discussion, propose a new article title as well as a subheadline for this published article at 7 Cups.

Reply to at least one other student’s response and share your feedback with them

(Edited by @SoulfullyAButterfly: 12/2/2021 to clarify "subheadline" instead of subheading)

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This post is brought to you by the Content Development and Marketing Program, find out more information about the program here

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bubblingSea6361 December 27th, 2021

Title: 6 Tips to Chase Away the Holiday Blues

Subheadline: Discover ways to cope with holiday loneliness!

1 reply
KatePersephone December 27th, 2021

@bubblingSea6361 loved it! :)

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KatePersephone December 27th, 2021

How To Feel Less Lonely in The Holidays.

Here's all you need to know about loneliness and how to cope with it.

1 reply
Bre4Me January 15th, 2022

@KateDoskocilova

I really like your headline but feel your subheading could be better. You may also want to look at the capitalization you used.

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29amy December 28th, 2021

Using the knowledge attained through this discussion, propose a new article title as well as a subheadline for this published article at 7 Cups.

Title: Things I Wish I Did During Holiday Season To STOP Loneliness

Subheadline: 6 exciting things people had shared with us to cope with loneliness!

1 reply
sshn07 June 6th, 2022

@29amy

This is certainly something I would click on to read further. Good job!

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Bre4Me January 15th, 2022

"Why COVID Shouldn’t Make You Say Bah Humbug"

6 Tips for Combatting Loneliness This Year

1 reply
JaneAH87 January 19th, 2022

@Bre4Me Clever, catchy title and very descriptive subheader!

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JaneAH87 January 16th, 2022

@SoulfullyAButterfly

Title: 5 Coping Tools to Make Financial Stress Less Stressful

Subtitle: Quick And Easy Steps To Reduce Financial Stress

Zahraa000 January 16th, 2022

Using the Knowledge attained through this discussion,

propose a new article title as well as a Subheadline for this published article at 7 cups.


Headline:How do you deal with sadness in the shadow of loneliness?

Subtitle:

1- Acceptance.

2-Distraction with other things that may be useful.

3- Trying to control thoughts.

4- Reading and meditation.

5- Not to deny sadness.

Bre4Me January 18th, 2022

@SoulfullyAButterfly


"Real Addictions That Society Treats as Completely Normal"

# of Addictions Society Treats as "Normal"

1 reply
SoulfullyAButterfly OP January 19th, 2022

@Bre4Me wow, both of these actually grabbed my attention and curiosity!

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GoldenRuleJG January 26th, 2022

@SoulfullyAButterfly This is a really good exercise - thank you Soul. Here are my ideas below:

Six ways to Positively Adapt to Isolation in COVID Times.


Subheadings:

1. The Reasons behind loneliness.


2. Importance of Gratitude


3. Social communication and How to reach out


4. How to give back to the community


5: Be Creative! Engage in hobbies and try something new!


6: Coping with Bereavement through Nostalgia


1 reply
Womerz January 31st, 2022

@GoldenRuleJG

I like the different subheadings, it feels like you're covering all bases of the issue.

1 reply
GoldenRuleJG January 31st, 2022

@Womerz Thank you!

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froyopeach February 14th, 2022

@GoldenRuleJG I like how you change the title to be more interactive and engaged with the readers😊

1 reply
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March 21st, 2022

@GoldenRuleJG

It's nice that you wrote so many alternatives 👍

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GoldenRuleJG January 26th, 2022

@SoulfullyAButterfly Sorry for to add:

the article I changed the headings and subheadings for was this one : Coping with Loneliness During the Holidays Coping with Loneliness During the Holidays

Womerz January 31st, 2022

Title - Ways to keep the magic this Christmas!

Subheading- Covid friendly ideas to keep the spirit alive this holiday period!